Barrett Strong Wants His ‘Money

Onetime Motown recording artist/songwriter Barrett Strong, 72, is at odds with Motown over the song “Money,” according to a recent story in the New York Times. Strong says he wrote the song, and he was originally listed as a writer, according to the United States Copyright Office in Washington. Motown says it was a mistake that Strong’s name was on the song, which rose to #2 on the Billboard rhythm and blues chart in 1960, and reached #23 on the pop charts that year. The Beatles and the Stones recorded versions of the song, and it’s generated millions in publishing royalties over the years. Strong’s name was removed from the song, three years after it was written, according to the Times.

This is a story worth reading if you care about the people who make the music.

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About Michael Goldberg

Michael Goldberg is a distinguished pioneer in the online music space; Newsweek magazine called him an ‘Internet visionary.’ In 1994 he founded Addicted To Noise (ATN), the highly influential music web site. He was a senior vice-president and editor in chief at SonicNet from March 1997 through May 2000. In 1997, Addicted To Noise won Webby awards for best music site in 1998 and 1999, and also won Yahoo Internet Life! awards for three years running as best music site in 1998, 1999 and 2000. Prior to starting Addicted To Noise, Goldberg was an editor and senior writer at Rolling Stone magazine for 10 years. His writing has also appeared in Wired, Esquire, Vibe, Details, Downbeat, NME and numerous other publications. Michael recently completed his first novel, Days of the Crazy-Wild, and is currently writing a second novel.
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